Episode 114: More Semi Tariff Chaos, Lip Bu's Plan, TSMC Earnings

The Circuit · 21 Apr 2025 · 45m · Episode 115

What this episode covers

Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the chaotic impact of new US tariffs on the semiconductor industry, noting 145% duties on Chinese goods and 25% on Taiwan, Japan, and Korea, which are driving up consumer electronics prices while AI infrastructure remains somewhat insulated. They analyze Intel's organizational restructuring under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, highlighting employee anxiety over potential 'bloody summer' layoffs and the appointment of Sachin Katti as CTO. The hosts also examine TSMC's recent earnings, arguing that while the company is strong, its forecasts are lagging indicators of a potential slowdown in hyperscaler capital expenditures driven by economic uncertainty and ROI concerns.

Mentioned

Companies
Nvidia, TSMC, Intel, TI, ADI, Apple, Walmart, Open AI
Products
H20, H100, Blackwell
Also
Sachin Katti, Lip-Bu Tan

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